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|country = of India
|map= <map lat='21.739091217718574' lng='82.177734375' zoom='5' view='0' float='right' />
|language = Hindi, English, various regional languages
|capital = [[New Delhi]]
|pop = 1,147,995,904
|currency = Indian rupee (₨) (INR)
|hitch = from {{bad}} to {{averagevery good}}
}}
'''India''' is a country in [[Asia]].
India is a land of diverse cultures, faiths, languages and people. For all practical purposes though, English and Hindi (the national languages) are widely understood throughout the country. However, if you are in the state of Tamil Nadu, speaking Hindi can be met with a little hostility.
The condition of road surfaces, driving habits, vehicles and driver profiles varies greatly from region to region even in the same state. Sikh drivers are generally friendly and can be generally trusted - hospitality is part of their religion after all. Although hitchhiking is allowed as in it is not illegal, it is not something which is common, except in the western states. A ride may be sometimes difficult to get as some local hitchhikers actually turn out to be robbers and dacoits who flag down vehicles and loot them.
However, hitchhiking is possible. The [[Academy of Free Travel]] organized an expedition in India in 1998 where nine participants hitchhiked the entire length of the country north to south. There is a growing Indian hitchhiking community, and the rise of the car-owning middle class means that hitchhiking from cities to popular excursion sites is increasingly simple.
To hich-hike, hold your hand horizontal to the ground.
== Paid Vehicles ==
== Rides on Trucks ==
In some regions, the only vehicles which may bother to stop and pick up hikers would be long distance trucks. They generally ply between cities or villages. Speeding is common and trucks are often involved in accidents. Drunk driving is also fairly common. If offered a ride on the truck, it is best to humor the driver and helper by engaging in small talk as far as possible. Silence may lead to sullen behavior and even hostility.Truck drivers may press food upon you and you can sleep on rope beds at the truck stops. There’s also water here for you to wash in your underwear (men only)!
== Trains ==
Even passionate hitchhikers often resort to train travel in India, as it offers its own kind of adventure. Most trains in India, with the exception of the Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Jan Shatabdi and Garib Rath express trains, have four carriages marked General class (two at the front of the train, two at the rear). Riding in these carriages requires only that you buy a ticket just before boardingor paying the conductor, while other classes require reservations days or weeks in advance. General Class carriages do not guarantee a place to sit. You might encounter carriages where people are packed together as tightly as cattle, while at other times the carriage might be half-empty and you can lie down and sleep. An overnight journey in a General Class compartment costs only around 100Rs, making them a good alternative to hitchhiking.
== Sleeping ==
